According to political sources on June 3, President Lee Jae-myung is expected to initiate a Cabinet reshuffle soon.
The most significant focus is on the Prime Minister position. Kim Min-seok, who is being mentioned as a potential candidate for the party leadership, is likely to submit his resignation within this month. On June 2, he held a farewell dinner with Cabinet members at the Prime Minister's residence in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, which some in the political arena interpreted as a goodbye gathering.
The attention on the next Prime Minister is heightened not only because it is a key appointment but also because potential candidates are already serving in the Cabinet.
In the Blue House, speculation has arisen that Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik and Policy Chief Kim Yong-beom could be appointed as the next Prime Minister. As the administration enters its second year, it is essential to demonstrate governance achievements, making the likelihood of surprising external appointments low.
Among current Cabinet members, Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Koo Yun-cheol, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeong-kwan, and Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Ho-jung are also being considered.
Minister Jeong passed the 28th Judicial Examination and graduated from the Judicial Research and Training Institute alongside President Lee. He has maintained a close relationship with the President for nearly 40 years, often referred to as a leader of the pro-Lee faction during Lee's tenure as Democratic Party leader.
On the same day, President Lee encouraged voting through a message on X (formerly Twitter), announcing Minister Jeong's entry into social media and urging followers to support him.
As Prime Minister Kim's resignation is anticipated, the nomination of his successor will likely lead to appointments of other ministers and Blue House aides.
There are indications that evaluations of the first Cabinet's performance have concluded. A significant reshuffle involving three to four ministries is expected, creating a tense atmosphere within those departments. Given President Lee's governance style, a thorough performance-based reshuffle is anticipated. The second Cabinet appointments are expected to resume around July, coinciding with departmental reports.
If Minister Jeong is not nominated as the next Prime Minister, he is expected to retain his position. Minister Kim, who heads the Ministry of Trade, is likely to remain in his role due to the continuity required in U.S.-Korea tariff negotiations and the transition to AI in manufacturing.
Ministers Jeong Dong-young (Unification), Park Jin (Foreign Affairs), Ahn Gyu-baek (Defense), and Baek Kyung-hun (Science and ICT) may also be included in the reshuffle.
The reshuffle of Blue House aides is also imminent. The vacancies left by former Chief of Future Planning for AI Ha Jung-woo and former spokespersons Kim Nam-jun and Jeon Eun-soo, who left to run in the elections, will need to be filled. There is also speculation that individuals who campaigned but unfortunately lost may be considered for future talent pools.
Additionally, rumors of personnel changes at the senior secretary level are circulating within and outside the ruling party.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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